HAMILTON CHESS CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 408, 11 March 1899, Page 2

HAMILTON CHESS CLUB.

"T&amllton*Cneia*aficr DraughT"Club was held in The Argcs Office on Thursday night. A fair number of members were present, and Mr G. Edgecumbo occupied the chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, after which the report and balance-sheet were read and passed as satisfactory and correct. The following is the report :—The past year has beeu a most sucoessf ul one, notwithstanding the difficulties in connection with a meeting-room, the club haying had to shift twice and been burnt out once. However, trouble in this respect, it is hoped, will be at an end, should accommodation be found in the new library building. Four inter - club matches were played during the year, all resulting in favour of Hamilton. It is matter for regret that in one of these matches some little disagreement arose, but it is hoped that differences of last year will not be differences of this year, and that any little soreness that might be felt on either side will be forgotten. A ohampionship tournament was played in the club, being won by the Secretary, and from the result of this tournament the " ladder system " was inaugurated and continued to act satisfactorily throughout the season. The balancesheet shows the club to be free from debt. The receipts were £2 lis, balancing expenditure of a like amount. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Young and Edgecumbe for pro viding a club-room free at different times last session, and the Secretary was requested to write to the library management for the use of the reading-room every Wednesday evening for the purpose of holding chess and draught meetings there. It was pointed out that on Wednesday afternoon and evening (the half-holiday) the library would be closed, and therefore no inconvenience would be caused by holding chess meetings there, such meetings to be open to the public. It was decided to continue the " ladder system " in the club as from last season. The question of holding a Waikato Championship was brought up for discussion, and the Secretary was instructed to write to the Te Awamutu and Ngaiua wahia Clubs for their co-operation in the matter. A series of rulc3 in connection with this proposed tournament were drawn up, and it was decided to send copies to the other Waikato Clubs for their consideration.

It was decided to continue the meetings in The Argos Office every Tuesday evening, pending a reply from the library committee. The Secretary was instructed to write to tho Devonport, Te Awamutu, Ngaruawahia, Remuera, Whangarei and Auckland Telegraph Clubs, with a view to arranging matches during the ensuing session.

Officers for the year were elected as follows :—President, Dr. Brewis ; VicePresident, Mr Geo. Edgecumbe ; Secretary, Mr J. C. McCrea ; Committee, Messrs Stevens, Lye and Home. A vote of thanks was passed to the local Press for their courtesy in reporting the meetings, etc., and to the Telegraph Department for the use of the wires in telegraphic matches. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting.